If we think it's tough now, imagine how hard it will be for our kids

What was your first job?Working at StarTrack express courier down in Wollongong. Short shorts, socks up and away I went. What’s the best money advice you’ve ever received? Buy property, property and more property. It’s practical advice that I’m happy I got given.

Scam

The return being offered was 200% a year ... good grief, how dumb can we be?

The Gift Card That Doesn't Keep On Giving

Keep an eye on the date or your present will “expire” too

Flair For Fine Food

Peter Gilmore loves nothing more than messing around in his vegie garden at home.

BrickX

BrickX Story

New Kids On The Block

Values are soaring with Japanese models joining their European counterparts as an alternative investment

Reality Bites

George, 85, had lived comfortably in a retirement village in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs for nine years – in a unit that cost $595,000 – but when the time came for him to move into aged care he and his three children received two sizeable shocks.

'We Sold The Units For $500,000; Today They Would Be Worth $2M'

Peter Koulizos was recently elected chairman of the Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA). He has been teaching in real estate and investment for almost 20 years and also personally invests in property and currently holds several properties. Koulizos is the author of The Property Professor's Top Australian Suburbs and Property vs Shares.

Top Property

With 2018 shaping up as a challenging year for investors, property guru Terry Ryder and the sharemarket experts at Skaffold reveal, for the seventh year, where they see the greatest value. Property winners in 2017 included Indented Head and Jan Juc (both 20%-plus) in Victoria, Werrington (19%) in NSW and Sunshine Beach (21%) and Noosa Heads (19%) in Queensland. The Top 5 share portfolio delivered 4.7%, with individual returns ranging from an impressive 71% (Northern Star Resources) to a disappointing -50.8% (Vita Group).

Join The Lay-by Revolution

The new deferred payment services can benefit both retailer and shopper

A Smart Outfit

Fact fileJane CayCEO and founder of Birdsnest, an online fashion retailer. Age 40. Lives in Cooma. She and her husband Oli have three children.Business philosophies are to spend money to make money, you can’t sell out of an empty barrel and, if generous, good things will come. First job, at 12, was cleaning at Toyworld on Saturday mornings. Pastimes are limited to yoga and skiing.

The Future Is Wearable

Watches, rings and even sunnies take tap-and-go to the next level.

Good Habits Start Young

Parents have an important tool to teach their children financial skills that can last a lifetime.

Off - Market Forces

Buyers and sellers are getting together in a more private setting.

The ‘Crisis' In Perspective

Buying property has always been expensive but investors with a social conscience can help solve the problem.

Prices Will Rise Or Fall, So Many People Will Be Unhappy Regardless

“Affordable housing” and the “housing price bubble” are dominating conversation about the property market.

Where To Invest $200pw Over 5 Years

So you have $200 a week to invest but where should you put it? The best place can vary depending on your end goal. We get the experts to put together portfolios aimed at helping you achieve a different financial aim.

Highway Robbery

An unpaid toll can potentially leave motorists hundreds of dollars out of pocket, and even facing imprisonment.

Claim Your Perks

Here are seven ways to get something back from the tax man.

Beat The Mortgage Stress

High property prices and our appetite for debt are taking their toll.

Make It Easy On Yourself

A Xero package takes the tedium out of doing the bookwork.

Redundancy's Silver Lining

For some people redundancy can be a blessing in disguise but for most of us it is a very stressful and destabilising experience.

Writer On The Rise

It’s a rarity for novelists to be paid much at all for their work.

New Parents Wonder Where To Go Now

We are just wondering what our next best move would be at this stage.

At The Top Of Their Game

Competition is strong in the banking business, so the winners in our annual survey have to be especially innovative in providing a diverse range of products and services

Bank Of The Year - Bankwest

An ‘outsider’ has been rewarded for providing great value across a wide range of products

Money Minder Of The Year - Ing Direct

It’s tough getting a decent return these days but this all-rounder stands out from the pack

Credit Card Issuer Of The Year - Coles

Low rate, extra interest-free days and shopper rewards are among the benefits

Insurer Of The Year - Budget Direct

The premiums are consistently low but the policies still cover all the bases

Avoid the Bill Shock

Watching your favourite shows can be an expensive pastime but there are clever ways to keep costs down.